What Type Of Algea Eater???

[Boohoo]

Could someone please tell me what type of algea eater I could put in a 10g tank? I would like to have one in a goldfish tank and one for in my tropical tank. How long after a tank is first set up should you wait? I know to wait until the tank has been cycled but I mean in regards to there being enough algea for it to eat.

[OrionGirl]

If you don't have lots of algae, I would avoid the algae eaters completely unless your heart is set on a specific type. For the goldfish tank--IMO, not worth the risk. First, very few will tolerate the cooler temps very well, adding an algae eater means increasing the bio-load substantially, and many algae eaters will attack and suck on the goldies if they don't have enough food. In the 10--again, JMO--but manually cleaning the tank to stay on top of the algae is a better option. Many will outgrow the tank, again you're significantly increasing the bio-load, and many of the smaller species that won't outgrow are expensive, sensitive species that can be hard to maintain in smaller setups.

[jparnell]

I agree - not for the goldfish tank. But for your 10gallon, and if your heart is set on algae eaters (cuz some are really cute), otos are small, efficient cleaners, and don't put too heavy a load on your tank. If you're concerned about there not being enough algae, pick up some algae wafers.
I've read a number of posts where people have brought home their otos and they don't survive... make sure to pick one out that looks a little fat - their bellies should be sticking out a bit.

Another idea is to pick up yamato or ghost shrimp - they add a lot of activity to the tank - go zooming around - and do a good job cleaning up the substrate. They're also really hardy. I don't think they increase the load much either. And they love algae wafers!!! But they'll eat pretty much anything. Mine have even been seen to snag a betta pellet or two to munch on.

Whatever you do, don't get talked into a common pleco... they will outgrow your 10 gallon!

[Boohoo]

When I inquired at my LFS that is what they suggested (a pleco) but I recalled reading here that they can grow quite large so I opted to post before buying anything.

[reiverix]

Why not try a few shrimp? There are more and more different varieties appearing nowadays with some great colors.

[Boohoo]

My LFS doesn't carry them however I am going to the city next week and they have a much larger selection. What do they look like?

[reiverix]

I only ever see ghost shrimp and amano shrimp round here. But here's a link showing someneat looking other types.

http://www.azgardens.com/shrimpfactory.php

[NFR-22467-A]

yeah, the lfs that recommended a pleco for a 10 gal is a moron, they are best in around 150 gal

[Boohoo]

Okay, I think I might go with an oto for the tropical tank. How big do they get? And I was wondering what about a snail in the goldfish tank?

[Harlock]

Otocinculus stay small. Around 1.5 inches most times. I'm no snail expert so I'll pass and let someone else tell you if they can work in a goldie tank. I will tell you ghost shrimp do fine in coldwater. We have them in our more shallow lake here and in decent numbers. The only concern I have is that goldies can get large and I am not entirely certain a small shrimp like a ghost shrimp might end up as a snack, especially after a molt when they are most vulnerable.

[happychem]

I think Harlock means that they might end up as a snack.

AquaCreations on Quinpool has some good looking Oto's right now, plus they quaranteen them for 2 weeks or so before bringing them upstairs for sale, so you don't have to worry about the post-shipping die off.

Tom's Tropicals on Windmill Road in Dartmout (327, I think, it's behind the Cabletec building, a little tough to find until he gets some signs up, just look in the windows for a bunch of tanks) has a bunch of apple snails and I think that they're pretty cheap. He specializes mostly in Cichlids, but I think that he may have a few Oto's as well.

[Boohoo]

Thanks, I'll check those places out next week. Would apple snails be a snack for golfish? Do either of those places have a good plant selection?

[happychem]

I can't imagine a goldfish eating an apple snail, but then I've not done much research on goldfish.

Tom has some plants, he'll probably give you j.moss to go with the snail.

AquaCreations is probably the best selection for plants in Halifax, although you may want to have a look at Pets Unlimited in Bayers lake, I seldom get out there since I try not to drive anywhere and I live downtown. I was talking to the manager at AquaCreations Monday, he's supposed to be getting a shipment of plants on Friday, some of the plants on his order list were pretty interesting (yeah, I'll be in there tomorrow :D ): glosso, stargrass, lillaeopsis...

[Boohoo]

Getting off the beaten track, but do they have any 55g aquqrium kits? I'm getting the fever. The best price I found locally is $253.99 plus tax.

[Harlock]

I think Harlock means that they might end up as a snack.D'oh, I did, I'll edit the post.

[happychem]

boohoo, check out the forums at www.eastcoastaquariumsociety.ca, there are a few setups for sale in the classifieds that may interest you. Aquacreations does have 55g kits, I'm not sure of the price though.